Japan's online banks go bricks-and-mortar to boost loan ops

Deposits at six leading online banks topped 11.4 trillion yen at the end of March 2016 -- a substantial figure, but a mere 1.42% of the total for all Japanese banks. The industry has reached a turning point: The Bank of Japan's negative-interest-rate ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese companies plan lower pay hike this year: Reuters poll

As Japan's annual "shunto" wage hikes kicked in this month, the Reuters Corporate Survey found that only 19 percent of businesses said they would raise monthly wages by 2 percent or more, versus the 2.14 percent average hike at big firms seen last year. ( read original story ...)

Japanese firms still slow in reducing overtime: survey

although 31 said the government’s labor reform could negatively affect their business. Companies in Japan are under pressure to improve working conditions for their employees also out of need to attract talent amid the shrinking population. A government ... ( read original story ...)

Japan open to more Filipino workers

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa made the pledge in a speech before the business community during the Makati Business Club’s General Membership Meeting last Friday. Signed on September 9, 2006, the Pjepa is considered a milestone ... ( read original story ...)

EU, Japan to improve data flow collaboration

At an event, hosted by the Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE) and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation at CeBIT in the German city of Hannover, keynote speakers Kiyoshi Mori of Japan’s ministry for economy, trade and industry (METI), and ... ( read original story ...)

Overtime deal marks total capitulation by labor

Was he really going to switch from deregulation to regulation? What was he up to? Abe maintains close ties with Sadayuki Sakakibara, the head of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Japan’s top business leader. Our prime minister boasts of being ... ( read original story ...)

Muslim tourism set to boost growth of halal market in Japan

Many Japanese do not speak a second language, and even those who do are often uncomfortable with having to conduct business in another language. There must also be an understanding of the business culture in Japan. Unlike in the West there are established ... ( read original story ...)

Innovative fabrics bark up Tokyo fashion tree

Wood fashioned into lace and sculpted into evening dresses: the Hanae Mori Manuscrit label led the way this Tokyo Fashion Week in showing the world the original craftmanship that helps set Japan apart from the crowd. Dresses of persimmon wood lace paired ... ( read original story ...)

Japan moves gingerly toward accepting immigrants

The tensions in Europe have made many Japanese leery of large-scale immigration. "If we were to choose to address Japan's labor shortage by allowing more immigrants in without carefully thinking about it, we would face a situation similar to Europe," said ... ( read original story ...)

Japan vice minister officially visits Taiwan

TAIPEI -- A Japanese vice minister's visit to Taiwan may test Beijing's patience. Jiro Akama, parliamentary vice-minister of internal affairs and communications, said on Saturday that Taiwan is a wonderful partner for Japan. He was speaking at the opening ... ( read original story ...)

Timing, like finances, everything for Osaka’s new rail links

how much of the financial burden should fall to city taxpayers, and how much to JR and other railways that will benefit from the line is expected to be the subject of contentious debate. “The number of visitors to Osaka is increasing and businesses are ... ( read original story ...)

India replaces Japan for 3rd spot in domestic air travel

The world's fastest growing air travel market for several months in a row has added another feather on its cap by being the third-largest domestic aviation market globally with more people flying within the country last year than Japan, which has been ... ( read original story ...)